Hemophilia 24/7
— Cazandra Campos-MacDonald

My biggest fear for my sons, who live with severe hemophilia, is an auto accident. When my oldest son, Julian, began to drive, I impressed upon him anew the importance of wearing a MedicAlert emblem. He wore it like dog tags for years when he was younger,…

I’m late getting my garden ready for the season. I considered giving in and leaving the weeds and remnants from last year’s harvest for another season, but seeing the butterflies and bees come to my space and picking fresh vegetables brings me too much happiness. So I enlisted my husband…

I sat in a hotel ballroom with hundreds of people who gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones. The names and pictures of the dearly departed appeared on giant screens at the front of the room. Many people had their cellphones ready, anxiously waiting to capture the image…

I’m looking forward to attending the Hemophilia Federation of America’s annual symposium, running today through Saturday. I’ll be among the community I consider family. But it’s been a few years since I attended a large conference. I’m excited about reconnecting with old friends, but I’m also a bit…

There are moments in our lives that are seared into our memories. Some of those in my life include getting married, giving birth, starting a new job, and bringing my now-husband to meet my family. One vivid memory is when my obstetrician told me that I would soon know more…

There’s something special about each day of the week. I enjoy Thursday because my weekend begins at the close of the day. I enjoy Wednesdays because it’s the middle of the week, and the weekend is closer (I think there’s a pattern here). Sundays are special because, as a…

There’s one thing I want more than anything: When my sons are grown with their own families, I want them to come home for Thanksgiving (without my having to beg). I dream of sitting around the table with my sons, their significant others, and hopefully their children. I want…

I’m a homebody. I work from home most days, and when I’m relaxing, I’m quilting, sewing, or weaving. The gratitude I have for my home and my activities there is overwhelming in the best of ways. While the pandemic has caused many to feel trapped, unable to move about the…

There was a time when I couldn’t make plans because hemophilia was the center of my life. Vacations were dreams, family outings were few and far between, and the mundane happenings of everyday life were nonexistent. There was no sense of complacency. Every waking moment was consumed with the…

March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, when patients and families who live with bleeding disorders post facts on social media and share their stories to educate those with little understanding of how a chronic illness affects daily life. I have participated in numerous events to educate the community, and this…

I went to college to become a teacher. Actually, to become a middle school band director. Four years of college were great, but student teaching was how I learned to teach. Two excellent supervisory teachers helped me find my way, answered questions, and taught me useful lessons by their example.

My youngest son, Caeleb, called me to pick him up early from jazz band rehearsal last week. I could hear a hint of panic in his voice. Caeleb has complained of arm pain over the past few months, but it never seemed to be a big problem. I hoped it…